Final Answer:
French explorer claimed most of Canada while looking for a N. route from the Atlantic to the Pacific d) René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle
Step-by-step explanation:
Jacques Cartier: Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence River but did not claim most of Canada.
Samuel de Champlain: Champlain founded Quebec and explored the Great Lakes region but did not claim most of Canada.
Louis Jolliet: Jolliet explored the Mississippi River but did not claim most of Canada.
René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle: La Salle is the correct answer. He claimed a vast region, including the Mississippi River basin and the Gulf of Mexico, while searching for a Northwest Passage.
Explanation in Detail:
Jacques Cartier, while significant in exploring parts of Canada in the 16th century, did not claim most of Canada. Samuel de Champlain, known as the "Father of New France," played a crucial role in the early colonization of Quebec but did not claim the majority of Canada. Louis Jolliet, though exploring the Mississippi River, did not make a claim over most of Canada.
The correct answer is d) René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle. La Salle's extensive explorations in the 17th century led to the claiming of a vast territory, including parts of the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico. His efforts were instrumental in French territorial claims in North America.